Machine useful for forming end loops on venetian blind ladder tapes



Aug. 2, 1949. NELSON 2,478,003

MACHINE USEFUL FOR FORMING END LOOPS 0N VENETIAN BLIND LADDER TAPESFiled May 27, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR HA RRY mason (ATTORNEYSAug. 2, 1949.

Filed May 27, 1947 H. NELSON MACHINE USEFUL FOR FORMING END LOOPS ONVENETIAN BLIND LADDER TAPES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIHIHHHHWHIIIIIHHIHHHH....11 n]lfimuuuunnmmunnumb- IMHHHHHHHHM INVENTOR HAIR? Y lVfLSON ATTORNEYS Aug. 2, 1949. NELSON 2,478,003

MACHINE USEFUL FOR FORMING END LOOPS ON VENETIAN BLIND LADDER TAPESFiled May 27, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 H. NELSON 2,478,003 MACHINE USEFULFOR FORMING END LOOPS ON VENETIAN BLIND LADDER TAPES Filed May 27, 19475 Sheets-Sheet 4 I ln ""1 25H N l (I?) w :g 9 Ll...

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N m arrZ2, m r m L k *3 INVENTOR HARRY NELSON R Y ATTO RN EYS Aug. 2,1949. NELSON 2,478,003

MACHINE USEFUL FOR FORMING END LOOPS ON VENETIAN BLIND LADDER TAPESFiled May 27, 1947 v 5 Sheejzs-Sheet 5 \E i? 4 H67 INVENTOR HARRYll/flSO/V BY a M 3" FIG.8 WWIWQ ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 2, 1949 MACHINEUSEFUL FOR FORMING END LOOPS ON VENETIAN BLIND LADDER,

'r PEs Harry Nelson, New York, N. Y., assignor to "Lorentzen HardwareMfg. Corp., New York, N. Y., acorporation of New Yonkap ic nt May 27,1947, serial No. 750,861 17 Claims. 1-3) This invention relates tomachines useful in the assembly of'Venetian blinds; and moreparticularly to a machine for properly cutting ladder tapes of aVenetian blind and forming a loop on the end of each branch of theladder'tape'I Venetian blinds are constructed with two or more laddertapes which support the slats of the blind. These ladder tapes are eachformed of two parallel branches of woven fabric tape conheated atuniform intervals by somewhat narrower tapes termed rungs which serve tosupport the individual slats. The lower ends of the branches of theladder tape are secured to the bottom bar of the 'blind 'a'nd'the upperend' of the branches of each ladder tape are secured to a tilt bar orequivalent construction.

In the enclosed head bar type' of blind, such as that'shown anddescribed in my copending applicationserial No. 601,671, filed June 26,1945, and issued as U. S. 'Letters Patent'No. 2,455,135 on November 30,1948, the tilting mechanism is contained inside a'channel-shaped headbar. The branches of each ladder tape pass upwardly through slots in thebottom wall of the head bar and connect to a tape rocker which mountedon a tilt bar or rod. Rotation or the tilt ba'r serves to adjust theangular position of the slats of the blind. It has been found'des'irableto form a loop at the upper end of each branch of each ladder tape tofacilitate connection of the ladder tapes'to the tape rockers.Theseloops 'mus'tb'e formed a predetermined distance from the topmostrungs of the ladder tapes to assure proper operation of the blind.

In the 'form shown, the present invention is directed to a machine forcutting" interfering rungs from the top portions of the ladder tapes,cutting each branch of the ladder tapes a uniform distance from thetopmost vremaining rung and forming and securing loops at the top of theladder tapes aun'iform distance from the topmost rung.

This machine comprises a machine stand for supporting the operatingportions of the machine :a convenient distance from the floor. Ahorizontal frame mounted on 'top of the stand supports a tape clamp, arotary cutter assembly, and a stapler. The clamp serves to engagethe'lend portion of a ladder tape and hold it in predetermined position,aft'enwhichthe'branches of the ladder tape may be :passed against arotary kn-ife or cutter, this knife being located a definite distancefrom :the clamp so as to uniformly out each branch of the ladder tape atthe desired distance from the clamped portion thereof The two branchesof the ladder tape are then passed aioundbar like members, the end ofeach branch being folded back upon itself 'to 'iorm terminal loops aiiniform distance from the clamped portionbf the tape. "A carriage whichmounts'th'e clamp, the cutter and'the'bar-like loop-forming members isbodily movable beneath anxed' stapler for's'ecuring the loops, thisstapler being operable by""p'ressure upon a foot pedal. After staplingthe loops','the"ladder tape is unclampedafnd removed" from the machine,this end of the "tapenowbeing ready for insertion into an enclosedlieadbar of the type above men'- ctione'd; Aiiobject of the present inventionis to provide a machine for rapidly and uniformly cutting the ends ofVenetian blind ladder tape to properlengtfi.

Anotherobject of the invention is to quickly and conveniently cutunwanted rungs from Venetian blind ladder tape? A further object of theinvention is to provide a machine for aiding in the forming andsecuring' of loops at the end of Venetian *blind ladder tape: u V

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine'forforming'and securing loops at the end 'ofVeneti'an blind ladder tape auniform distance from a rung of the tape.

A'furthrobjct "of the invention is to provide a composite machine forcutting the branches'of Venetianblind ladder tape and forming andsecuring loops therein a" uniform predetermined distance-from a'rung ofthe "tape;

Astill fui ther'object of the' invention is to provide 'a machine forfbrmingfloops on the ends of the'branclies 6f the Venetian blind laddertape a predtermineddis'tance from a rung thereof and quicklyandsecurelysecuring said loops.

Furthr' objects and objects relating to details and economies ofconstruction and cperatio'n will more def nitely appear' fiom thedetailed description to follow.

My invention is clearly defined in the appended claims. In theclaimsfas" well as in the "description; parts areal; times identified byspecific names for clarity and'convenience, but such nomenclature is" tobeiindrstoo'd as having the broadest "me n ng consistent with thecontext and'with amendment of -i'ny invention as disti'ngulshed from'thepertinent prior art.' The "bstforni'in which I have contemplatedapplyins-my invention is illustrated in'the accompanying drawingstorm'ing part of this specicltion, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the complete machine, a portion of thestand being broken away to show details of construction.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine, one corner of the frame andportions of the stapler being broken away.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a portion of the machine, showing a laddertape positioned for clamping by the machine.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to 'Fig. 3, showing the ladder tape in clampedposition.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing the cutting of the laddertape branches to proper length.

Fig. 6 is a View sim'lar to Fig. 3, showing the formation of loops inthe ends of the ladder tape branches.

Fig. 'I is a top plan view of a portion of the machine, showing the.securing of the loops in the ladder tape branches by stapling, a portionof the stapler being broken away for clarity of illustration.

Fig. 8 is a somewhat diagrammatic front elevation of the cutter. andcutter guard, showing the guide sleeve for aiding in sharpening thecutter.

Fig. 9 is a detailed view of the latch for holding the'carriage incentral position.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, themachine comprises a. ladder tape clamp In, a rotary cutter assembly Hand a stapler l2, the clamp and the cutter assembly being mounted uponan oscillatable carriage l4 which is pivotally mounted on a frame l5.The stapler I2 is mounted directly on the frame l5.

The frame l5, which is preferably of stamped sheet metal having adownwardly-directed mar ginal flange I6 extending about its edge andterminating in lateral mounting flanges 11, is

supported at a convenient height for operation of the machine by a sheetmetal stand I9. The stand I9 is formed of a rectangular base upon whichis mounted a generally channel-shaped vertical member 2|, this memberbeing open at the front as shown in Fig. l. A horizontal top member 22secured to the top of the vertical member 2| supports the frame l5,which is bolted thereto by bolts passing through the flanges l1, H.

The carriage l4 comprises a generally rectangular sheet metal plate 24having upwardly-projecting lateral flanges 25 and 26. This carriage isoscillatably mounted on the top surface of the frame 15 by a pin 21journaled in the frame.

The carriage I4 is supported on ball-bearing rollers 29 (see Fig. 2)mounted on horizontal axes, one of these rollers being mounted onforward extensions of each of the carriage flanges 25 and 26, and thethird roller being mounted centrally at the rear of the carriage. Theaxes of these rollers intersect the pin 21, the rollers providing foralmost frictionless oscillation of the carriage l4 on the frame I5.

A laterally-projecting handle 30 mounted on the rear of the carriageflange 26 serves as a ready means for oscillating the carriage M. Aguard 31 secured to the frame [5 and having a flat horizontal portionimmediately overlying.

the path of a roller 29, serves to prevent upward displacement of thecarriage M from the frame, as well as prevent accidental contact of themachine operator with the roller.

The cutter assembly II is :mounted on the front end (end nearest themachine operator) of the carriage M. This assembly comprises a rotaryknife 32 which is of circular form with a very sharp peripheral edge.The rotary knife 32 is rotated on its axis within the knife guard 34-,consisting of two flat spaced parallel plates which may be of thegeneral outline shown in Fig. 8.

Vertical slots 35, 35 and 36 are formed in both plates of the knifeguard 34, as best shown in Fig. 8. These slots project downwardly tointersect the path of the rotary knife 32, terminating slightly belowthe knife path. The top or entering ends of these slots are somewhatflared to provide for easy entrance of ladder tape to be cut. Thecentral slot 36 is somewhat wider than the side slots 35, 35.

The rotary knife 32 is rotated in a vertical plane within the knifeguard 34 by a shaft 31, this shaft being driven' at substantiallyconstant speed by a fractional horsepower electric motor 39 which isconnected to a suitable supply of electric power by a lead 40. Anelectrical on-oif snap switch 4! mounted on a rear corner of the framel5 serves to control the motor 39.

The motor 39 and knife guard 34 are secured on the top surface of abroad channel 42 having upwardly-directed flanges fitting within thelateral flanges 25 and 2-6 of the carriage M. The channel 42 is securedto the plate 24 of the carriage 14 by bolts which pass through slots 44,44 of the channel, thus providing for adjustment of the cutter assemblyII from front to rear of the carriage. The flanges 25 and 26 prevent thechannel 42 and cutter assembly I I from becoming out of alignment duringadjustment.

The ladder tape clamp [0 comprises two corresponding generally verticalsheet metal members 45 and 46 which are joined by a base 48 and arespaced apart a little less than the length of the rungs or connectingtapes of the ladder tape to be cut. Members 45 and 43 are provided withvertical slots 4'! and 49, respectively, for receiving a rung of theladder tape. The portions of the members 45 and 46 to the rear of theslots 41 and 49 (away from the machine operator) are disposed outwardlyslightly to better hold the ladder tape, as will be explained inconnection with the operation of the machine. These members are somewhatconverged at their top and front portions to assist in engaging theladder tape in the clamp.

A clamping arm 50 is rotatably mounted at its lower end on the base 48of the clamp ID and is urged forwardly between the members 45 and 46 bya tension spring 5!. A trigger 52 which is pivotally mounted on the base48 serves to hold the arm 50 in rearward position where it does notengage with ladder tape positioned within the clamp It]. A triggerspring 54 normally retains the trigger 52 in arm-engaging position.

The trigger is oscillatable by the machine operator against theresistance of the spring 54 so as to release the arm 50, permitting thearm to be oscillated forwardly by the spring 5|. The clamping arm 50 maybe returned to triggerengaged position by pressing rearwardly on theupper end thereof, the arm striking a cam portion 55 of the trigger 52and oscillating the trigger so as to permit rearward movement of thearm.

The base 48 of the clamp l0 fits within upstanding flanges of a channel56 fixed to the top surface of the frame I5, bolts securing the base tothe frame and passing through slots 51, 5'! in the base to provide forfront and rear ad- 5; justment of theclamp [0, the channei flangesmaintaining theelamp I win aiigmnent.

Trie stapler" I2 comprises a;- stapiing: maehine 59 and associatedipartsfor operatirig the max-- chine; This machine isof" conventional: type,having a fixed anvil 60: and" a pivoted= arm: 5-1 for holding a supplyofstaples and: supporting the stapledriving mechanism 1 32-:

The-- stapler isoperated a foot pedal M pivotally connected to the basei 28 by a,= pin The; pedal 64 has a foot enga-ged portion 5 the frontend of the pedal and any upwardhw extending; rod 1 pivota'liy*conneotedto the pedal ashortdistanoe in front of the pinifi filTine-upper end of the rod 6 passes through a restanguiar link 69; thisroci hav ing a cel lar- 'fli for engaging the linkand' puliing-it-downward1y.

The link 69 is pivotaliy connected at its upper end to a bridge i whi'oiiis securede to the lower endof a pair of-"rods T2; T2; The rods "i2;'52 extend upwardly'threugh holes ini-he top member- 22 of the stand[3-5 the frame I51; and= a U- shaped: guide M; these rods beingverticaiiy reciprocabie: The rod guide 14 is seeured tothe top-surfaceof'theirame i5.-

Ai plate 15 1s fixed to the upper ends of the rods 12; Hfandextendsforwardlyovertheciriv ing 'mechanism 62 of'thestapling machine 59.Operation: of the peda-IESA reeiprceates the we viously-describcdlinkage downwardly so as to operate the stapling machine 55 111 theusual manner. An elastic rubber pad i'fi maybe inter-- posed-between"the plate'ifi and the-stapledr i-g mechanism 62 to cushion the operationoi; ie machine; After eachstapling operation, a tension springfl'?connected between art-extended portion of' the link fifi anci' thelowerside oi the stand top member 22 serves to ret'ui nthe pedal andiinkageto normal position;

A pedal stop-I9 (see Fig. 1') is providedtq pre ventilaccidentaloperation of the. pedal Sid-during periods when the machine is not in.use, Thi still? comprises a metal frame having-3,; laterallyprojectingportion 80 displaceabie, whegin' pedallocking position, immedi y underthe pedal: ts

so: as to prevent downward oscillation ofthepedak he 51 911 5315slidabiy i a d on a ri o t rod 8,! mounted'm the verticaimember 2110ithe stand. 19. immediately above the Pe al; so ot tointerfere. with itsmovement. The stop is may be moved, along the rod 8| to eitherinoperative posit on. or. to. pe da1-ensasing ,i? tio horizontalsegmental plate 814 is secured to therear, end of the carriage i i andprojects rearwardly to cooperate with the stapling machine 59, Thisplate has, airectangular central aperture 85 which receives the an i Whe s apling me- Qhine when the carriage I4 is in central posit-ion.

The plate 84has twopairs of iateraiiy-extencb mg arms 86, 8t and" 8T,51, these arms extending at, equal angles, as shown in Fig. 2, such thatwhen the carriage i4 is oscillated to extreme side positions the arms85, 86 and; 81; 8'7 liesubstantially laterally of the machine. Springfingers 89', 89 are secured to the plate 84 at-th base of the arms 86,86 and overlie these arms as best shown in Fig. 2.

Tabs 99, 90 are struck up from the frame in the path of therearmostcarriage roller 2% to serve as stops for limiting theoscillatory movementof the carriage [4. Holes 9| are former? in theplate l5 in the pathof the rearmost roll-er 29 a short distance insidevof the tabs 59, These holes receive the roller 25% so as to index thecarriage l=4re'1ative to the stapling machine 62 59s nenwth rmlli ffliiis nesitiened il-fiJsBQ Etlrad-jacentseach ofitheztaihs 58- 8:9;- heiSapQSifiQIled at..th e.:1imits Qir' ts osQillflIzOF andawhem thevrovller zfluissnosi aed im l the. omen-two: holes; at the c rria e. ati. ShOEtIOffi'bS limitsofftr y 1-,

A l tc 92 is provided: att re earzen i the plate roof the, carria e; II; for melt n tie a r riagerirr. central nositionz. Th5 la lrr iiifibesttShQWminiF i oen s ess ntiei yr r aa spring=pressed bolts 95Whi ordetent 9:5: Iktht frame 4 G I CEHtI'aLRGQi iQ FM esc la wfifi nthelinaitsrxitsedo'vmw n 7 iseunlartchedi for cilia yvme em nt; y. l itinsii htiyi-onthehan- 1:

ine kniie'fl :isma' taioedz srrzsharn .brstm sz me its;iperinhera zcutine edeew stone While it is rotating facilitated by 3s rovi os; i of retan u ar Miss e El? termetiiate itsa nds; s 9 8.. r". .1 Tm, the

. wa eshe;

w en haesr iaae belt 1% l5.

v s V .s i het koife Haas ashliee Elsi 8-,: he-sleeve at p r 311: Iii!te ieeye ma be 0s. 11

iii with ta skin this motor a ree drains the-rem n' eonstantlr-r tatewMd.- enstho zladsleetaea s;we ree arsun y; r 111 tape, the isgh: q tdete min dibr eh shtcq th hummer-i iti int .d. 'rhailsd srz epe qutqrier nd .en eiiiert yw lay-moving the tape ag nst the knife 32, the tape beg eg te slit 5 1 1 t e knif wa dlyg sainst he It: n es a y to, ZIQIUQVQ'e eral, run the oe and: oi. the lad er ees to.- 19, ranches at the adderarem pass it" 1 thr gh: otsin-t e-bqt cz oi he; eeslosedhsa barmaaheatQ-the liss ilting s we}; asbestosis-thet };Mimi-slatwhic ri a d an theopmost remaining; er-s a pm rom. t ba t time as b fQlQlZlgthQ- brantizstq fthe r .r cistus rithsmsdr ss i r ins-the middle of th to m st 2 mg ains t out ardisaas to lists? .r 9 the ladde tare, thusbrmg ne a .Q

trials-nag, and the aclsl ih brass. es weather The doubleung Rhea ente ei hin the, 9. ed; timmwaiz r. asie t the knit 2 U rubgatitsiunstionstwimtbe leade are breaches. 5. 1 19; the, ladder ta e marshesare doubled back upon themselvesaggg,hot i trodat d. W thi th sl t,3.6;, h ru s, iaq without he wisstu iing ts. taps.- "ilhis s repea fldnt l; pr e ably, the th t most mines av be e etedni m the, tam.

The ladder tape is then placed in the clap 1p It with the free ends orthladder tape branphe s extending rearwardly towards the stapier [2. Theladder tape branches are placed oiitside of; the clamp members 45 and46, the topmost remaining rung of the ladder tape being entered withinthe slots 41 and 49 within the members 45 and 46, respectively. Whenplacing the ladder tape within the clamp l6, it is preferably insertedwith the topmost rung at the bottom side of the ladder tape branches.Fig. 3 illustrates the ladder tape in inserted position within the clampIll. The tape is permitted to hang across the top of the carriage l6 anddown beside the machine. At this time the carriage I4 is preferably inits central position on the base I5, it being held in that position bythe carriage latch 92. This insertion of the ladder tape into clamp It!so positions the ladder tape as to orient a rung of the tape, placingthe rung a predetermined distance from the knife 32 and arms 86, 86 andthereby determining the distance from this rung at which the ladder tapebranch ends are cut and terminal loops formed thereon.

After insertion of the ladder tape in the clamp ID, the trigger 52 isoscillated, as shown in Fig. 4, to release the clamping arm 50 whichmoves forwardly, pressing the central portion of the clampengaged rungforwardly so as to draw the portions of the ladder tape branchesadjacent the base of the rung tightly against the outside surfaces ofthe clamp members 45 and 46. The ladder tape is now firmly engaged bythe clamp l6 and thus definitely positioned with relation to the knife32 and the loop-forming arms 86, 86.

The branches of the ladder tape are folded backwardly upon themselves,and entered into the slots 35, 35, as shown in Fig. 5. The tape branchends are pulled forward so as to remove any slack between the clamp H]and the knife 32, and the tape branches then moved downwardly againstthe knife to sever them at a predetermined distance from the clamp.While Fig. 5 shows both branches of the ladder tape being passedsimultaneously against the knife 32, cutting of the two branches may beperformed successively if desired. After severing the ladder tapebranches as above described, the two branches extend equally from thetopmost remaining rung and are of the proper length for the loop-formingportion.

Each branch is now extended rearwardly from the clamp It), passed overits respective arm 81, and under arm 86, as shown in Fig. 6. The tapebranch at the right of Fig. 6 has been so positioned, being somewhatspaced from the segmental plate 84. After being so positioned, the endof each ladder tape branch is folded forwardly about the arm 86, and theloop slid inwardly against the adjacent edge of the segmental platewhile at the same time entering the end of the ladder tape branchbetween the arm 86 and the spring finger 89, as shown in the left laddertape branch of Fig. 6. While described and shownin Fig. 6 in twoindividual steps, the passing .of the ladder tape branches about thearms 86, 86 and beneath the spring fingers 89, 89 is performed in asingle motion by the machine operator and may be performed very rapidly.Loops have now been formed in the ladder tape branches a predetermineddistance from the topmost rung of the tape.

The loops are secured in the ladder tape branches by means of thestapler 12. To perform this operation, the carriage handle 38 is raisedslightly to unlatch the carriage, after which the carriage is oscillatedto the limit of its travel in either direction, the rearmost roller 29resting against one of the stops 90, 90 and in the detent 9| adjacentthe stop. This indexes Cit 8 the loop .of a ladder tape branch directlyover the anvil 68 of the stapling machine 59. The pedal 64 is thendepressed to insert a staple for securing the tape branch loop.

The carriage is then oscillated slightly, placing the rearmost carriageroller 29 in the next detent 9 I after which the operation is repeatedto insert a second staple in the looped portion of the tape branch, thisstaple being beside and slightly spaced from the first. The carriage I4is then oscillated to the opposite end of its travel and the operationsrepeated so as to staple the other ladder tape branch in a similarmanner. During the stapling operation the arms 81, 81 support the laddertape branches and prevent them from accidentally becoming engaged withthe forward portion of the stapling machine 59 during oscillation of thecarriage 14.

By spacing the portions of clamp members 45 and 46 rearward of slots 41and 49, respectively, wider than the forward portions of these mem-.bers, the tape is held better during the loop-forming and staplingoperations due to the extra frictional contact of the tape with themembers.

The stapling operation having been completed, the clamping arm 56 ispushed rearwardly to its initial position where it is reengaged and heldby the trigger 52. The loops of the ladder tape branches are slippedoutwardly from engagement with the arms 86, 86 and the ladder tapewithdrawn upwardly from engagement with the clamp It, the upper end ofthe tape now being ready for incorporation into a blind of the typeherein described.

While this machine has been described as incorporating a stapler forsecuring the loops in the ladder tape branches, it is within the purview.of this invention to secure the tape branches by other well-known meansand to use other than a rotary knife for cutting the tape.

I claim:

1. A machine for cutting the branches of Venetian blind ladder tape at afixed distance from a rung of the tape and forming and securing loops onthe cut ends of said branches, said machine comprising means forclamping ladder tape, said clamping means having a ladder taperungreceiving portion, tape-cutting means located a predetermineddistance from said clamping means for cutting the ladder tape branches apredetermined distance from the rung-receiving portion of said clampingmeans, a member located a predetermined distance from said clampingmeans and about which the cut end of a ladder tape branch may be foldedupon itself to form a loop, and means for securing the loop so formed.

2. A machine for cutting the branches of Venetian blind ladder tape afixed distance from a rung of the tape and forming and securing loops onthe cut ends of said branches, said machine comprising means for holdingladder tape and orienting a rung thereof tape-cutting means located apredetermined distance from said tapeholding means for cutting theladder tape branches a predetermined distance from the rung-orientingportion of said tape holding means, a member located a predetermineddistance from said tape-holding means and about which the cut end of aladder tape branch may be folded upon itself to form a loop, and meansfor securing the loop so formed.

3. A machine for cutting the branches of Venetian blind ladder tape at afixed distance from a rung of the tape and forming and securing loops onthe cut ends of said branches, said machine iasracqs :compr sin zmca srio ih d g ,Ja' e tametai tap rho d na means h vin .a sl ion ee vi1ria,@rung of the -ladder;,tape, tapercutting means, ,10- acted-1ap edetermne istanc i mss id tapeholding gqmeans ,for .cutting {the ladder tapecbran hes a ;-prcdet r in distanc irom the rP -l GB l P i o o gsaid-ite-lhc dins. a member located a predetermined distance fromsaidtape-holdinc mean n bout w i lv thecut end-of aladd ta et ra hi ay;ref de .uee

mea s rsecur n gth itself to form. aa o nrand 109 so formed. I

';;4.,--A ma Qh-ine for cutting. the branches of, Venegtian blindladder, tape, at-a {fixed distance; Irqm.. a

Y tune 'of th tape, saidma hinec el risin m an for holding-ladder tapesaid tape-holding means for holding ladder tape said .tape-;holdingmeans having a slot for receiving a rung of the ladder tape, and acircularpower-driven tape cutter located a predetermined distance fromsaidtapeholding means fpr cutting the ladder tape branches apredetermined distance from the slot .of .thetape hoIding means. i

j: 63A machine for cutting the branches pf Vene- "tian blind ladder tapeat afixed-distanc'e from a rung of the tape, said machine comprisingmeans for holding ladder tape, said tape-holding means having a laddertape rung-receiving position, and tape-cutting means mounted apredetermined distance from said tape-holding means for cutting thebranches of the ladder tape at a predetermined distance from therung-receiving portion thereof.

'7. A machine for cutting the branches of Venetian blind ladder tape ata fixed distance from a rung of the tape, said machine comprising meansfor holding ladder tape, and orienting a rung thereof, and tape-cuttingmeans mounted a predetermined distance from said tape-holding means forcutting the ladder tape branches at a predetermined distance from saidrung of the ladder tape.

8. A machine for cutting the branches of Venetian blind ladder tape at afixed distance from a rung of the tape, said machine comprising meansfor holding a ladder tape and orienting a rung thereof, and tape-cuttingmeans located a predetermined distance from said tape-holding means forcutting the ladder tape branches a predetermined distance from said rungof the ladder tape, said tape-cutting means comprising a movable cuttercontained within a cutter guard, the cutter guard having slots adaptedto receive the ladder tape branches for cutting.

9. A machine for cutting the branches of Venetian blind ladder tape at afixed distance from a rung of the tape, said machine comprising meansfor holding a ladder tape, said tape-holding means having a slot forreceiving a rung of the ladder tape, and tape-cutting means located apredetermined distance from said tape-holding means for cutting theladder tape branches a predetermined distance from the held portionthereof, said tape-cutting means comprising a power-driven circularcutter contained within a cutter guard, the cutter guard having a slotproviding a channel extending into the path of the rcut en mieaa ed reci a asc tic-Petra??? ri c tt l9- A imecnin xiq rmin an securin 1.9912 ath end sl a .fblin iae l es t ei ime hm lc pri in dampin sa d iana' sa jyd pri e th ied e fi 9 "p i xqi c,ea rm ikam nh rsaPreset? tance fromsaid clamping gins andiab ct re ranc smay.,b .e .t ..feamiie 1113's.foldgd w ,1? & a clhe ot eet erile 5-id.,1. 9

of the .1 9 .jt erse i 1 l -ia-na hie iie fc a eaands a iealece on therendspf eiia'n 'nd ladder t -,.brenci a.sai .e e hi w ap s tuni l dd tafart n a r n f' zo.,r rgieqtinaj r 1i m b fian e Lf mJS p at i a back ina ete i e tjee inns.ih teptt g sci i ,said ,lpop's.

.l Att ch n fe l farmin and p 'r ea'ltnr on ,the ends oi Venetian h dladder; ape br 'nches, said m' in e c p sing g ne'a ffor e l i liaiiiiik tmemhersni a e anre itamm scien twi said tape-holding means andabout which the tape branches may be folded back upon themselves to formterminal loops, and means mounted in coordinated relationship to saidarmlike members for attaching the folded-back portions of the tapebranches to the other portions thereof to secure said loops.

13. A machine for cutting the branches of Venetian blind ladder tape afixed distance from a rung of the tape and forming and securing loops onthe cut ends of said branches, said 4-: machine comprising: a machineframe, a carriage movable on said frame, means mounted on said carriagefor engaging ladder tape, said tapeengaging means having a ladder taperung-receiving portion, tape-cutting means secured to said carriage andlocated a predetermined distance from said tape-engaging means forcutting the branches of the ladder tape a predetermined distance fromthe rung-receiving portion of said tape-engaging means, a member locatedon said carriage at a predetermined distance from said tape-engagingmeans and about which the out ends of ladder tape branches may be foldedupon themselves to form loops, and means attached to said machine framefor securing said loops, said carriage being movable relative to saidsecuring means to position the tape branch loops for the securingoperation.

14. A machine for cutting the branches of Venetian blind ladder tape afixed distance from a rung of the tape and forming and securing loops 0nthe cut ends of said branches, said machine comprising: a machine frame,a carriage movable on said frame, means mounted on said carriage forholding the ladder tape, said tape-holding means having a ladder taperungreceiving portion, tape-cutting means secured to said carriage andlocated a predetermined distance from said tape-holding means forcutting the branches of the ladder tape a predetermined distance fromthe rung-receiving portion of said 11 tape-holding means, a memberlocated on said carriage at a predetermined distance from saidtape-holding means and about which the cut ends of ladder tape branchesmay be folded upon themselves to form loops, and a wire staple-applyingmachine fixed to said machine frame for securing said loops, saidcarriage being oscillatable on said machine frame to position the tapebranch loops for the stapling operation.

15. A machine for cutting the branches of Venetian blind ladder tape afixed distance from a rung of thetape and forming and securing loops onthe cut ends of said branches said machine comprising; a machine frame,a carriage movable on said frame, means mounted on said carriage forclamping the ladder tape, said clamping means having a ladder taperung-receiving portion, tape-cutting means secured to said carriage andlocated at a predetermined distance from said clamping means for cuttingthe ladder tape branches a predetermined distance from therung-receiving portion of said clamping means, a member located on saidcarriage at a predetermined distance from said clamping means and aboutwhich the cut ends of the ladder tape branches may be folded uponthemselves to form loops, and means attached to said machine frame forstapling said loops, said carriage being movable relative to saidsecuring means to position the tape branch loops for the securingoperation.

16. Apparatus for performing operations on the ends of Venetian blindladder tape, comprising: a pair of spaced parallel members adapted tofit between the branches of the ladder tape and maintain the tapelaterally extended, said members being provided with slots for receptionof a rung of the ladder tape, and a cooperating element movable betweensaid parallel members-for engaging and displacing the ladder tape rungto tension the rung and draw the ladder tape branches tightly againstthe members.

1'7. A machine for cutting the branches of Venetian blind ladder tape ata fixed distance from a rung of the tape, said machine comprising: meansfor holding ladder tape, said tapeholding means including two spacedmembers slotted to receive a rung of the ladder tape, and an elementmovable between said members for engaging and displacing the ladder taperung to tension the rung and draw the ladder tape tightly against themembers, and tape-cutting means mounted a predetermined distance fromsaid tape-holding means for cutting the ladder tape branches apredetermined distance from the slots thereof.

HARRY NELSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,993,799 Phillips Mar. 12, 19352,288,881 Bauwens July 7, 1942 Certificate of Correction Patent No.2,478,003 August 2,1949

HARRY NELSON It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printedspecification of the above numbered patent requiring correction asfollows:

Column 9, line 36, for the word position read portion; column 8, lines46 and 61, column 9, lines 1, 15, 24, 34, 44, 53, and 65, column 10,lines 5, 17, and 29, after the Word comprising in each instance, inserta colon; v and that the said Letters Patent should be read with thesecorrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the casein the Patent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 20th day of December, A. D. 1949.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Oommz'ssz'oner of Patents.

